East Manchester Community Boat Project

Welcome to East Manchester Community Boat Project (EMCBP). Our specially designed narrowboat “Community Spirit 2” was delivered in November 2016. Through hard work and generous support, almost £100,000 was raised in two years – a magnificent achievement! With our new state-of-the-art narrowboat we continue to help those who may be disabled or disadvantaged, by providing a free day out on the canal.

We are based at Portland Basin in Ashton-under-Lyne, behind Portland Basin Museum.

“Community Spirit 2” is 57 foot long, centrally heated, with extra large cabin windows to allow all passengers a wonderful view of the passing countryside. We can accommodate up to 12 passengers in the light and airy open plan cabin. The design of the on-board equipment enables up to four wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility to board safely and easily.

The galley has a water heater for that essential cuppa. We provide the tea coffee and sugar, the cups cutlery and water, all we ask is that you bring some milk with you as we haven’t got room to keep a cow on board!

A remote steering facility allows wheelchair users to steer the boat from a wheelchair position and gives them the opportunity to enjoy a new experience and be a complete part of the trip.

Our shortest return trips, to Droylsden or Hyde, take about two hours and a return trip to Marple will take about six hours. The route to Stalybridge gives passengers an opportunity to experience locks – and get some exercise too! All trips are crewed and supervised by volunteers who are trained and qualified to nationally recognised standards. Incidentally, EMCBP is an National Community Boats Association Accredited Training Centre and can provide training and certification to third parties.

Explore our website and book a trip with us. We sail all year round but are dependent on weather conditions in the winter months.

Please click the link above to book tickets for our sail with santa

We were awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service on the 2nd June 2018 .
A great achievement by all our volunteers